In brief
Razia Jan, an Afghan-American education advocate who dedicated her life to establishing a school for girls in Afghanistan, died on July 20 in Los Angeles. After moving to the U.S. in 1970, she became a prominent voice for Afghan culture following the events of 9/11. Establishing the Zabuli Education Center in 2005, she faced significant challenges, including Taliban hostility toward women’s education. Despite the return of the Taliban and restrictions on female education, her legacy lives on through the school’s ongoing commitment to educate girls.
Razia Jan, a dynamic Afghan-born U.S. citizen and entrepreneur who, in the wake of Sept. 11, founded a school for girls outside Kabul that continues to operate despite the Taliban’s power return, died on July 20 at her home in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. She was 81 years old, with congestive heart failure cited as her cause of death by her son, Lars Jan. Before the 2001 attacks, Ms. Jan owned a successful dry-cleaning business in Duxbury, Massachusetts. After the U.S. invasion in October of that year, she became an unofficial ambassador for her homeland, working to inform American communities about Afghanistan and its culture. As a single mother, she dedicated her efforts to helping9/11 victims by crafting fleece blankets for emergency workers and quilts honoring fallen first responders. In her quest to aid those suffering in Afghanistan, she formed a partnership with Patti Quigley, a widow of a 9/11 victim. Together with Susan Retick, another widow, Ms. Jan began raising funds for widows in Afghanistan while channeling her energy into establishing her school, the Zabuli Education Center.In 2002, after three decades in the U.S., she returned to Afghanistan. Visiting schools, orphanages, and hospitals, she determined that education for girls was paramount. She secured land in Deh’Subz, northeast of Kabul, and funded the construction of the school.However, convincing the community to embrace girls' education was fraught with challenges. The Taliban had previously banned education for women, leading to suspicion around new educational initiatives. Utilizing her linguistic skills and diplomacy, Ms. Jan gained the trust of village patriarchs. Zabuli Education Center opened its doors in 2005, enrolling over 100 girls initially, and grew to include more grades. Ms. Jan introduced innovative solutions to accommodate girls' complex lives, including allowing early graduation for those facing traditional marriage pressures. Despite adversity, her commitment to the school’s safety and quality education never wavered. The school flourished under her leadership, even as the Taliban returned to power in 2021, prompting her to close secondary education programs. Nevertheless, her determination resulted in an increase in younger students, with 810 enrolled by the current year.Born on June 5, 1944, in Quetta, Pakistan, Ms. Jan was the daughter of liberal landowners. She earned degrees in early childhood education before moving to the U.S., where she eventually established her dry-cleaning business. Jan’s humanitarian efforts were recognized widely, including being honored as a CNN Hero in 2012.Razia Jan’s legacy endures through the Zabuli Education Center’s unwavering mission to empower Afghan girls through education, even amidst ongoing challenges. Her vision continues to inspire a new generation dedicated to learning and resilience.
